International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)

ISSN (Online): 2319-7064

Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391

A Review on Fire Protection: Architect’s Role during

Construction of Buildings
H. Chinna Saidulu
Head, Department of Architecture, School of Planning and Architecture, Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Hyderabad-28

Abstract: Main aim of this research is to review the fire protection with the architect’s role during building construction. For new
buildings, management of fire safety should be planned by the architects at the designing stage of fire safety provisions using the
engineering approach. The main aim of this research is to analyze role of architects during building construction for fire protection.
Further, this study uses the secondary data collection methods. Architects are played an effective role in constructing the building towards
fire protection. Some of them are hazard control, system of lightening protection and specification of material are also detailed in the prior
literature review. In future, this work can be detailed by collecting the primary source through quantitative approach and conducting
suitable statistical analysis on the collected data.

Keywords: fire safety, architect’s role, hazard control, system of lightening protection, specification of material, efficiency of fire safety
practices

1. Introduction the architect’s role in designing the fire safety mechanism

Human interests in fire safety dated back from the
employment and discovery of fire. The obvious benefits of
numerous friendly heat energy usages are often overshadowed
by the enormous destructive fire power. Fire is also considered
as the potentially life altering threat in public building and this
has further created worse situation in many aspects. The fire
safety codes of the existing buildings are for protecting against
the accidental fires (Chow, 2006). Long evacuation time,
direct rescue by the ground applications from the building
exterior, direct water application by the firefighting jets, lack
of implementing the firefighting techniques like water
application, fire ventilation and others are some of the fire
safety problems for super tall buildings. In fact, the high heat
has released by the new architectural features such as glass
constructions causing severe damages to the buildings (Wood
et al, 2004). Building maintenance plan, staff training plan,
fire prevention plan and fire action plan are some of the plans
associated with the fire safety management creates a
significant impact on the building construction. Most of the
architects are developing the new and leading edge creative
curtain wall designs to avoid the fire spread in the buildings
(O’Connor, 2008 and Simon, 2012).
The developing and implementing the fire safety management
program have the capability to reduce the property insurance
premiums and impact the organizational profitability in a
higher level (Chow, 2001). Apart from these, the architects
have played a significant role in controlling hazard, managing
smoking, deliveries and storage, heat producing and warming
appliances during construction (International Cooperation,
n.d). In some cases, the firefighting systems are installed by
the architects to meet the legislative requirements. Further, it
helps to achieve the risk reduction for the resilience purpose of
business. Regular inspection by the architects has to be carried
out for ensuring the proper management of fire safety in an
effective manner. So the present study attempts to investigate
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Paper ID: ART20164133
during the building construction.
2. Literature Review
2.1.1 The Architect’s role in designing the fire safety
mechanisms during the construction of a building:
a) Hazard Control:
In the site of building construction, the noncommercial
appliances of cooking like toasters, ovens and microwaves are
potential hazards. Architects should have ensured that they are
in proper conditions of working and it has not imposed fire
hazards (Obi, 2015). Human safeties, spread hazard
prevention, accessing the assurance of fire-fighters are some
of the requirements dealt by the architects during the building
construction (Chow, 2003). At the same time, the architects
may never face the structural collapse during the fire and also
they have lacking experience in dealing with the fire hazards
(Licht, n.d). In fact, the changes to the building codes have
driven by architects and others focused on reducing the costs
of the construction.
The codes and standards for the built environment have
studied by Cote and Grant (n.d). Most of the architects have
started to accumulate the information about the fire hazards in
the construction of buildings and in the manufacturing
process. In fact, the requirement contained in the codes of
building have generally based on the materials with the known
property, the hazards presented by the various occupancies
and the lessons learned from past experiences such as fire and
natural disasters. On the other hand, the code of fire
prevention includes the fire hazards information in a building
and it is usually regulated by the fire official (Darshan et al,
2016). Fire threatens the human life. The architects have
played an effective role to design buildings which are capable
of protecting the people and their property against the fire
hazards. According to Mydin et al (2014), the main electrical
585
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
installation and equipment should be inspected occasionally
depending on the situation of the building. The authors have
pointed out that most of the buildings have not practiced good
housekeeping to prevent the fire hazards and maintain the
safety standards. In this sense, the material subject to the
combustion like oil, paints and mops are obvious hazards.
b) System of lightning protection:
According to Hung (2003), sprinkler system with the unique
characteristics of large internal open space have given the
adverse effects and it has further essential to ensure the safety
of fire and occupants lives with safeguard. Appropriate fire
protection system has to be installed by the architects by using
attentive design consideration in advance. Omahanna, Basiru
and Tinufa (2016) studied the role of design and construction
in mitigating fire disasters in Nigeria. The technical
interpretation of building with fire safety is to convey the
building’s fire resistant in terms of hours when subjected to
known intensity.
The basis of conventional lightening protection technology has
studied by Tobias et al (2001). The components of lightening
protection system have received equal attention in the
demonstration of their effectiveness. Most of the architects
have used the standards of modern lightening protection in
order to avoid the fire hazards.
Quiter et al (2012) provides the guidelines for designing the
fire safety in very tall buildings. The authors pointed out that
the ratings of fire protection and safety factors for structural
transfer has evaluated for the adequacy. The architects have
used the lightening protection system in the tallest building to
prevent the fire in which it consists of protecting steel
structural members, upgrading the curtain wall and the
automatic sprinkler. Life safety, protection of property,
mission continuity and the protection of an environment are
the four types of goals identified the desired fire safety
performance of the building.
According to Whitepaper (2016), blunt rod lightning
protection system has played an effective role preventing the
fire in the building. In fact, the blunt rod has remained the
safest and most effective means of protecting structures from
the fire risks and damage due to the lightning. Zipsee (1994)
investigated the advantage and disadvantage of lightning
protection systems. The architects have used the lightening
protection system to safeguard the persons and property from
exposure to lightning. In fact, this system has used the early
streamer emission air terminal under several considerations
and development.
c) Specification of Material:
A study done by Park (2014) examined the development of a
holistic approach to integrate fire safety performance with the
building design. The architect’s mission starts with given
building design features. In fact, the material specification has
provided the potential for the collaboration between the fire
engineers and architects. The use of rated materials has helped
to stop the fire spread in the buildings. Most of the architects
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Paper ID: ART20164133
have used the rated materials to prevent the risk of fire. Fire
protection for structural steel in high-rise buildings has studied
by Goode (2004). Fire resistive materials have used by the
architects to limit the fire during the construction.
Advancements in materials have created the significant impact
on the construction industry. There are different methods to
achieve the ratings of the fire including directly applied
materials which insulate the steel, protection of membrane,
block radiation, discharge water and circulate water for
structure cooling and others (Chow, 2001). The architects have
used the application of insulating materials and this is also
considered as the most common means of protecting the
structures from fire hazards.
Moreover, the plastic materials with low fire resistance can
easily be degraded and this has also used by the architects to
construct the wall and roof of the building (Ebenehi,
2016).Insulating board systems have created the significant
impact in the application of fire prevention. Aesthetics, steel
preparation, installation and quality control are some of the
advantage of insulating board systems used during
construction to prevent the fire hazards. Architects have
considered the materials, system of building and consistent
building with the owner’s budget. Low quality materials are
negatively influenced the building and causes fire hazards
whereas the high quality materials are created the significant
influence during the building construction (O’Connor, 2012).
Combination walls are constructed by the architects due to its
fire resistance capacity and durability. The technical
specifications provided by the architect have continually
updated to eliminate materials which are potential health
hazards to construction workers. In fact, the local, national and
inter-national codes of building have tried to reduce the fire
and smoking hazards in a successful manner (Merritt and
Ricketts, 2000).
2.1.2 Review on the efficiency of all the fire safety practices
The study done by Yeung (2007) examined the fire safety
legislation in Hong Kong. Several legislations have played an
effective role to control the danger from the fire in most of the
buildings. Separation of fire and the distance requirements
between the buildings have aimed to prevent the spread of
fires. In fact the regulation on content flammability and the
explosive handling have aimed to keep the fire hazard under
the usage of building control (Canovan, 1988 and Walters &
Hastings, 1998). The building ordinance (BO) is developed to
address some of the key areas such as passive fire protection,
active fire protection and the aspects of fire safety
management.
According to Newscience (2012), industrial hygiene practices
related to the firefighter protective equipment has created the
significant impact on the building construction. Some of the
fire safety practice has played an efficient role to reduce the
firefighter death and injury. Better fire prediction and the
techniques of prevention have reduced the accident in the
higher level. It was discovered that the new construction
materials usage have led to fire propagation , rapid changes in
586
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
dynamics of fire and occupants and firefighter with the shorter Srinivasan and Thirunavukarasu (2015) investigated the usage
escape times. of GSM Technology in the measurements of fire safety.
Management responsibilities, staff-training, routine
Gordon (2016) studied the efficiency of fire protection precautions, fire warning systems, emergency lighting,
systems in major public buildings. Fire hydrant, means of fostering the efficient working environment, fire safety and
escape, warning system, directional sign in buildings, escape security personnel, evacuation management and extension and
stairs, firefighting equipment and fire detector system are alterations are some of the practices of fire safety management
some of the measures for fire prevention played a significant play a critical role in providing the prevention of fire in the
role in reducing the numerous accidents. Apart from these, the building. The authors have proposed the integration of GSM
firefighting equipments, warning system when fire is detected, approach in the fire safety measurements. This has the
employee’s nomination for firefighting duties, adequate capability to reduce the manual work involved in the process
training, training records availability and the emergency of fire extinguisher. Key less safety system, robust application
services are some of the variables related to the efficiency of with advanced safety and allowance of extensive fire bloom
the fire protection systems (Rasbash, 2004). In fact, the are some of the advantages of using this system to deal with
operation and maintenance of fire equipment, conducting the fire safety provisions. In addition to these, the program of
inspection, taking work precautions and inspection and taking fire safety management has developed in an organized fashion
periodic pest control practices are some of the attributes of fire (Bachanan, 1999). Analyzing facilities and fire hazards,
safety management. In contrary, the lack of knowledge on develop and implement life safety, fire suppression, reports
how to use the system of available protection has compounded and record keeping, fire prevention and evaluating
the inefficiencies. effectiveness are some of the sequences in an action plan for
developing the fire safety management program.
Wahab (2015) has evaluated the fire management practices in
selected restaurant buildings in Nigeria. Dry chemical Siddiqui et al (2014) studied the assessment of fire prevention
extinguisher, halon and foam extinguisher, wet chemicals and and protection measures in the buildings of Dehradun city. In
fire blankets are some of the facilities of firefighting played a particular, the audit of fire safety acts as the effective tool for
vital role in reducing the severe causes in the buildings. assessing the standards of the fire safety in an organization.
According to Hadjisophocleeous and Benichou (n.d), fire Further, it helps the people to identify the areas for
prevention practices have made the occupants aware of the improvement and evolving an action plan. The measurement
proper habits, safe storage procedures of hazardous materials of passive protection of fire has applied to enhance the
especially flammable materials and procedures for the disposal capacity of fire resistant of construction material. The plan of
of safe waste particularly hazardous waste. Moreover, an fire safety has proposed before laying out the foundation of
integral part of the fire safety manual is pointed as the many organizations (Ansah, 2003). Moreover, the new
program for providing the occupants with the training and technologies in fire prevention have introduced to reduce the
information. Establishment of clear communication lines, risks associated with the fire. Fire safety inspections have
responsibilities and accountability are some of the main carried out in every management to prevent the fire and this
elements for a successful implementation of fire safety has appreciated the need for fire safety measures in an
practices. Additionally, the maintenance of fire safety systems efficient manner.
are considered as another element of fire safety practices
created an impact on the building construction. 3. Discussion
Table 1: The Architect’s role in designing the fire safety mechanisms during building construction
S.NO Role of Architect in designing the fire safety mechanisms during building construction
Hazard Control Lightening Protection System Specification of Material
1 Architects have played a significant role to Appropriate fire protection system towards Most of the architects have used the rated
reduce the potential hazards caused by lightning has to be installed by the architects to materials to prevent the risk of fire.
non-commercial cooking appliances attain the effective measures.
(Obi, 2015) Omahanna, Basiru and Tinufa (2016) (Park, 2014)
2 Fire risk assessment should be effectively The architects have used the lighting protection The architects have used the application of
handled by the architects to control the system to limit the fire hazards when compared insulating materials which is also considered as
hazards to other installation the most common means of protecting the
(Mydin et al, 2014) (Zipse, 1994) structures from fire hazards.
(Goode, 2004)
3 Architects have used the fire prevention Blunt rod lightening protection technology has Insulating board systems has used by the
codes to serve the built environment used by the architects in the tallest building to architects and it has created the significant
(Cote and Grant, 2001) protect structures from the risk of fire and impact in the application of fire prevention.
damages due to lightning. (Ebenehi, 2016).
(Whitepaper, 2016)
4 Most of the architects have used the Lightning protection system has created the Architects have used the high quality materials
concrete in the face of the fire hazards positive impact in building construction in order to overcome the fire hazards during the
more when compared to the alternative to address to the environmental issues in a building construction

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Paper ID: ART20164133 587
 International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR)
ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
Index Copernicus Value (2015): 78.96 | Impact Factor (2015): 6.391
materials. successful manner (O’Connor, 2012)
(Darshan et al, 2016) (Quiter et al, 2012)
5 Architects have used the fire engineering The components of lightening protection system Architects have adopted the codes of buildings
approach to prevent hazards successfully have received equal attention in the on specification of materials to reduce the fire
(Chow, 2003) demonstration of their effectiveness hazards
(Tobias et al, 2001) (Merritt and Ricketts, 2000).

The Table 1 depicts the analysis of architect’s role in
designing the fire safety mechanisms during building
construction.
The architects play an important role in some of the aspects
such as structural elements in a buildings, good site layout,
service provision in design, well and dry risers, and designs of
walls, columns and beams. Additionally, the architect’s role is
therefore to address the escape routes incorporation,
specification of right materials for doors, staircases and floors
during his design. In this sense, most of the architects have
adopted several codes of buildings on the materials
specification to prevent the severe fire hazards. The architect
has required to bring together all relevant information in form
of byelaws, practice codes and regulations pertaining to the
fire safety of buildings. In particular, the architect has the
capability to address the issues pertaining to the potentials of
detection and notification in and around the building.
Architects need to communicate with the fire professional
across the world to update their knowledge in the management
of fire safety in building construction.
4. Conclusion:
This research has reviewed some of the roles of architects for
fire safety while constructing the building. The study, hereby
recommends that in order to achieve the practices of efficient
fire management, its proper design from the design stage
should be carried out. Also, the installation, use and
maintenance of firefighting facilities should be done according
to the specification of manufacturers. It was also predicted that
the appreciable number of personnel had knowledge in
handling the facilities of installed fire-fighting and underwent
periodical training in a successful manner. Applying
appropriate coatings for fire protection to give a longer period
of fire resistance should be also applied to prevent the
accidental fires during the building construction. At last,
different buildings have different layout and occupants
characteristics, therefore, the scheme of fire safety
management need to be building-specific to reduce the severe
damages.
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ISSN (Online): 2319-7064
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